I really dig the design aesthetic of the upcoming Total Recall. Having seen so many sci-fi films over the years, I’m always looking for elements that are fresh and revolutionary. Unlike many popular, futuristic movies of the past decade of so, Total Recall at least looks like it’s trying something new.
Colin Farrell reprises Arnold’s dual role as Doug Quiad and Hauser.
Mars (which was never an element of the original Philip K. Dick story) has been jettisoned for a war-torn Earth that’s been split into two factions: Euromerica and New Shanghai. It’s a world replete with awesome flying cars (the best since Blade Runner) and menacing robots. Love it!
The idea of multiple suspended levels of buildings is really cool. I also like that the ‘floating’ modular structures of Euromerica have a classic bureaucratic, almost Greek, feel. It’s clear from the ground level of New Shanghai that Asia dominates the world. It’s a treat to see Western characters living in an Eastern environment. Overpopulation and urban sprawl appear to be out of control. The result is a beautiful mess.
The design thought behind all of the various cityscapes is superb.
I get the sense that the filmmakers are going for a hodgepodge sensibility that’s really working. It’s clear, when we look at our actual world, that there’s no one plan for how cities and cultures build communities.
Much like the retro-fitted aesthetic of Blade Runner, Total Recall seems to reflect this ‘anything goes’ approach while allowing overarching dynamics — corporate, totalitarian governmental, and Asian influences — to drive the visual side of the story.
How many ways are there to design a humanoid robot? Not many, but this ain’t bad.
I remain optimistic about this one. Hopefully, the story and acting will be as smart and intriguing as the images that are popping up before Total Recall’s release. The film hits theaters August 3rd.
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4 Comments
Anything would be better than the original.
Very interesting indeed, I look forward to this movie. I can see where all that money went.
Never caught the movie – looked like the story was terrible – and that kind of hanging cities above cities doesn’t work for me (how do you hold them up? stop crap from falling bellow? get traffic up and down, but the design look was very cool. Cars Robots etc far definitely a step above other near future movies.
Even though the film was universally slammed, I thought it had some of the best futurism and design work since “Minority Report” (oh, and also “I, Robot”).